Paving-block



(No Model.)

J. T. THOMAS.

PAVING BLOCK.

No. 285,444. Patented Sept. 25, 1883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. THOMAS, OF DAYTON, KENTUCKY.

PAVING-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,444, dated September 25, 1883.

"To all whom it concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN T. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Campbell and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Pavements and in Blocks for Making the Same, as will hereinafter more fully appear, reference beinghad to the ac companying drawings, in which-- top, the top being convex both in Width and length of the block, as shown in solid lines of drawings also, a block made from potters clay, having the sides and ends tapering slightly from the bottom to the top, the top being convex both in width and length of the block, one side of the block being provided with agroove, while the other side is provided with a tongue for interlocking with the groove of the nextadjacent block, as shown in dotted lines in accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the pavingblock, made from potter s clay, and of any 'suitable'or convenient size. The sides and ends taper slightly from the base to the top, so that when the blocks are laid in position small wedge-shaped crevices or cavities will be formed between the blocks, which, when filled with sand or gravel, tend to act as a wedgelinholding the blocks'in their proper position. I

One side of the block A is provided with a groove or depression, a, while the other side sustaining.

ofthe block is provided with a tongue or projection, 1), corresponding in size and shape to the groove a, so that when the blocks are placed together side by side on the road-bed they will interlock and be in a measure self The base of the block is a plain flat surface, while the top is rounded off or convex both in length and width of the block, so that when laid the surface of the pavement presents numerous grooves or corrugations, which will prevent the slipping of animals or persons while traveling thereon.

Application filed September '7, 1882. No model.)

As heretofore stated, I make my pavingblocks from potters clay, the clay properly prepared and by any suitable means, either The blocks, after being allowed to dry, are

burned in a kiln, and salt or any other glazing material applied in any of the known ways. The block thus produced will be found to'be much in the nature of pottery-ware, and will withstand the heaviest traffic, and at the same time be proof against disintegration caused by thermal changes, and free from malarial odors.

The blocks may be laid in the usual waythat is, across the roadway 5 but I, prefer, when practicable, to lay them parallel with the curbs, or with their length in the direction of the line of travel. This will give a smooth, even surface to the wheels, either in the grooves between the blocks or on top of the blocks on the convex surface, while the corrugated surface formed by the convex tops of the blocks will insure a good and reliable foothold for animals.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. A pavingblock made from potters clay, burned and glazed, havin'g tapering sides and ends, and a convex upper surface with plain bottom or bearing-surface, as set forth.

2.; A paving-block made from potters clay, burned and glazed, having tapering sides and ends, a plain bottom or 'bearingsurface, a convex or wearing surface, and the sides provided with interlocking tongues and grooves, as set forth.

3. A pavement made of blocks having tapering sides and ends, convex upper orwearing surface, with the wedge-shaped cavities or interstices filled with sand or gravel, as" set forth.

. JOHN T. THOMAS. Witnesses:

WALTER B. KING, Guns. I. THOMAS.

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